When making address labels, if you type in, for example, The Smiths, do you use an apostrophe??

Question

Smiths vs. Smith's...which one is it? I work in an office with my step-mom, and I want to know which one of us is right.

Answer 1

No, that would show possessive use. The s after the name is just fine, and actually grammatically correct.

Answer 2

No apostrophe!!! An apostrophe is only used for showing ownership (the Smiths' house, the Smiths' dog, etc.) When you are addressing a letter you are sending it to the family themselves, not something they own. Address it to "The Smiths" or "The Smith Family"

Answer 3

Address Label Example

Answer 4

The Smith's = belonging to as in HOUSE. The Smiths = a collective meaning a collection of Smiths = a family. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

An apostrophe is only needed when showing ownership, like this is the Smith's car. But if not, then it's like, I lived with the Smiths.

Answer 6

No apostrophe, just The Smiths

Answer 7

Do NOT use an apostrophe unless you are saying that something belongs to the Smiths (and even then, you would use it after the s: This is the Smiths' cat).

Answer 8

I would just go with The Smith Family

Answer 9

No apostrophe, the Smiths is plural. You would use an apostrophe if something belonged to Mr. Smith such as Mr. Smith's dog.

Answer 10

Smiths without the '

Answer 11

if u say the smith's car the yes use it because it's something that they own. But i don't think u use it for an address, why don't u write the smith family?